Teen Hurt in Accident Loses Lawsuit

Published 8:00 pm, Monday, March 4, 2002

A former high school athlete who threw a shot put that hit a classmate in the head is not legally responsible for the injuries.

Ronnie Gartrell Jr. has said he was careless when he tossed the metal ball that struck Paul Anderson on March 7, 2000. Anderson was walking across the Erie High School field during practice at the time.

Jurors decided Monday that Gartrell's actions were not negligent.

"It's hard for me to believe that somebody who threw a (shot put) into the middle of a football field isn't responsible for it," said Anderson's lawyer, Bartley Costello Jr.

Costello said he would talk with Anderson's family to see if they want to appeal.

Anderson's neuropsychologist testified that his 16-year-old client still complains of a ringing in his right ear, has difficulty sleeping at times and has headaches.

Gartrell's lawyer, Arthur Kutzer, suggested those problems could have resulted from a 1989 car crash in which the boy was injured.

Kutzer said he offered the Andersons $100,000 to settle about a month ago. The Andersons had sought $3 million in damages.